9/24/2013

Drugs that increase appetite and weight gain



Many medications stimulate appetite and lead to weight gain. Patients complain of a ravenous appetite and the inability to feel full. Weight gains of 40 to 60 lb (15-30 kg) in a few months are not uncommon. 


Weight gain is associated with the use of many psychotropic medications, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotic drugs, and can increase health risks. There is a high risk of overweight, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, premature death, in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. And the effects of specific drugs on body weight. Somatropin is a synthetic form of human growth hormone which plays a role in the bone and muscle growth in the body. Generally used as a treatment for growth failure in children, somatropin is also indicated to stimulate weight gain in individuals with AIDS or short bowel syndrome.

Appetite and feeding are regulated by a complex of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, cytokines and hormones interacting with the hypothalamus, including the leptin and the tumor necrosis factor system. The pharmacologic mechanisms underlying weight gain are presently poorly understood: maybe the different activities at some receptor systems may induce it, but also genetic predisposition. Understanding of the metabolic consequences of psychotropic drugs (weight gain, diabetes, dyslipidemia) is essential: the insulin-like effect of lithium is known. Treatment with antipsychotic medications increases the risk of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus.


A list of drugs that can increase appetite:


Psychotropics – Alprazolam (Xanax), Benzodiazepine antianxiety agents, Chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

Antipsychotics – Haloperidol (Haldol), Perphenazine (Trilafon), Thiothixene (Navane), Thioridazine HCl (Mellaril), Clozapine (Clozaril), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Quetiapine Fumarate (Seroquel), Risperidone (Risperdal).

Antidepressants – Amitriptyline HCl (Elavil), Clomipramine HCl (Anafranil), Doxepin HCl (Sinequan), Imipramine HCl (Tofranil), Isocarboxazide (Marplan), Mirtazapine (Remeron), Paroxetine (Paxil), Phenelzine sulfate (Nardil), Selegiline (Eldepryl), Tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate).

Anticonvulsants – Divalproex/valproic acid (Depakote/Depakene), Gabapentin (Neurontin).

Hormones – Corticosteroids (cortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone), Human growth hormone/somatropin (Serostim), Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera, Depo-Provera), Megestrol acetate (Megace), Oxandrolone (Oxandrin), Oxymetholone (Anadrol-50), Testosterone (Androderm, Testoderm).

Miscellaneous - Cyproheptadine (Periactin), Dronabinol (Marinol).

Patients beginning maintenance therapy should be informed of drugs side effects, and teached how to manage weight:

17 comments:

  1. Anonymous9/24/2013

    What are bipolar medications and could they cause weight gain?

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    Replies
    1. Bipolar disorder requires lifelong treatment, even during periods when you feel better. Medications for bipolar disorder include those that prevent the extreme highs and lows that can occur with bipolar disorder (mood stabilizers) and medications that help with depression or anxiety. Drugs are: lithium, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antidepressants, symbyax, benzodiazepines. Some of them side effect is weight gain (symbyax, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants).

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  2. Anonymous9/24/2013

    I am taking antidepresant (Aplezin) for one month. I haven't noticed weight gain, is it good?

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    Replies
    1. It is very good to maintain normal body weight.

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  3. Anonymous9/24/2013

    What food to choose not to gain weight?

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    Replies
    1. Choose fresh, nutrient-rich, healthy, low-fat foods, drink a lot water to fill you up, eat vegetables (carrots, red cabbage, celery, broccoli, onion).

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  4. Anonymous9/24/2013

    My mom takes psychotropic drugs for two month, her neorologist strongly recommended to change these drugs to another, but we are considering yet.

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    Replies
    1. If you don't trust your neurologist, consult with another.

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  5. Anonymous9/24/2013

    Is there connexion between hypertension and antidepresants?

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    Replies
    1. Drug-induced hypertension is a form of secondary hypertension caused by a response to medication. Drugs that can cause hypertension: many over-the-counter medications such as cough/cold and asthma medications -- particularly when the cough/cold medicine is taken with certain antidepressants (tranylcypromine or tricyclics)

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  6. Anonymous9/24/2013

    I take hormones and live healthy, but I am obese. Any advices?

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    Replies
    1. Eat less, drink more water (8-10 glasses a day), do regular exercises, choose healthy, balanced diet.

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  7. Anonymous9/24/2013

    Can contraceptives increase weight?

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    Replies
    1. Weight gain has been noted in a small proportion of woman taking the combined contraceptive pill. Some progestin-dominant pills can cause appetite increase and permanent weight gain. Any changes in body size while on the pill tend to be small or temporary. Women may experience a slight "water weight" gain shortly after starting the contraceptives because they can alter your water metabolism.
      It is undoubtedly important to be aware of just how much you eat, to limit the size of individual food portions reaching your plate at meal times and to avoid snacking between meals.

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  8. Anonymous10/08/2013

    Zyprexa causes weight gain in the average patient of 25 pounds per year. I gained 110 pounds on Seroquel in four years. I relapsed severely because of the side effects of this drug, and know others who also relapsed due to Seroquel weight gain.

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  9. Psychiatric medications can be very helpful, even life-saving, for some children and adolescents. However, some of these medications may lead to weight gain.

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  10. Anonymous4/16/2015

    Parents should discuss the risks and benefits of specific medications with their child's physician.

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